Hari Shetty began his career at Nobu in London, where he worked at 21 and later became head chef. He then moved to Amsterdam as executive chef of MOMO and Izakaya, among others. Ori Geller also worked for many years in the international restaurant world. Together with Gilad Hayeem of The Waverly Group, they opened Nela in 2022.
The name means "pure" - and that runs like a thread through the restaurant: from the choice of live-fire cooking to the natural materials in the interior. It's no gimmick: almost everything on the table is prepared on open fire, which has direct consequences for how dishes taste and look.
What's on the table
The menu structure is set up for shared dining. You don't order aisle-by-aisle, but rather put together your own combination of dishes. From raw and pickled preparations at the beginning to vegetables and fish from the wood-fired oven and larger cuts of meat from the grill. The menu changes with the seasons; what is fixed is the technique.
"We deliberately chose live-fire cooking because this craftsmanship ensures the integrity of the ingredients," say Hari and Ori.
The Parool rated the opening positively with an 8.5 and described the dishes as extremely simple but never boring. The Volkskrant was more critical, calling the restaurant heavenly boring in 2023. In the Gault&Millau Netherlands 2024-25, Nela received a score of 12 out of 20. So the picture is mixed, but the place attracts a steady audience.
The space and location
The interior was designed by Studio Framework, with natural materials such as wool, wood, metal and stone. Local talent provided the decoration: from handmade ceramics to a large wool tapestry. The open kitchen is the first thing you see when you enter: grills, ovens and flames at eye level.
Those who want to sit close to the fire book a spot at the Chef's Counter. For wine lovers, there is a climate-controlled custom cabinet. Weather permitting, there is a terrace with a view above the treetops.
In 2025, Nela expanded with a seasonal residence in Ibiza and a new restaurant at The Whiteley in London. The Amsterdam location on the Zuidas remains the base.